Depression and Executive Functioning - Dr. Tish Taylor, P.H.D.
How is Executive Functioning related to Depression?
Common traits of depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, loss of motivation, lowered self-esteem, poor concentration and decision making, loss of energy, and suicidal ideation.
There is a viable area of research documenting how these two areas of functioning interplay with each other. Executive functioning abilities can certainly be impacted by depression. However, it seems that executive functioning strengths may be able to impact emotional regulation on some level or to some degree. There is research to suggest that emotional regulation can be a mediator for depression and in order to employ those skills, executive functioning skills and abilities are needed. I believe that this speaks to a fascinating area of more needed research to explore for children and adolescents, especially as we think about early intervention and addressing psychiatric and neurocognitive issues sooner rather than later.